A severe storm can be a stressful experience for any homeowner. The sound of high winds, driving rain, and falling branches is enough to cause concern, but the real anxiety often begins once the storm has passed. When you step outside to assess the aftermath, one of the most common and concerning discoveries is damage to your home’s siding. Whether it’s from hail impacts, flying debris, or panels ripped loose by the wind, storm-damaged siding is more than just an eyesore—it’s a critical breach in your home’s primary layer of protection.
For homeowners in Northern California, from Sacramento to the Bay Area, seasonal storms can bring a potent mix of wind and rain that puts any home’s exterior to the test. Discovering that your siding has been compromised can feel overwhelming. What should you do first? Who should you call? How do you prevent further damage?
This guide provides a clear, step-by-step action plan for homeowners dealing with storm-damaged siding. Following these steps will help you safely assess the situation, document the damage for insurance purposes, and find a trusted professional to restore your home’s integrity and appearance.
Step 1: Prioritize Safety Above All Else
Before you do anything else, ensure the area around your home is safe. Storms can create numerous hazards that may not be immediately obvious.
Conduct a Preliminary Safety Check from a Distance
- Look for Downed Power Lines: Never approach or touch a downed power line. Assume any fallen wire is live and extremely dangerous. Keep a safe distance and contact your utility company and emergency services immediately.
- Identify Unstable Trees or Limbs: Look for large branches that are broken but still hanging in trees, as they could fall unexpectedly. Note any trees that appear to be leaning precariously toward your house.
- Beware of Broken Glass and Debris: Storms can scatter sharp objects like broken glass, metal fragments, and nails across your property.
Do not begin your siding inspection until you are confident that the immediate vicinity of your home is free from these life-threatening hazards. If you have any doubts, wait for professionals to assess the situation.
Step 2: Document Everything—Your Insurance Claim Depends on It
Once it is safe to approach your home, your next task is to become a meticulous record-keeper. Thorough documentation is the single most important factor in ensuring a smooth and successful insurance claim process. Do this before you move any debris or attempt any temporary repairs.
The Power of Photography and Videography
Your smartphone is your most powerful tool at this stage.
- Start with a Wide View: Take photos and videos of your entire property to establish the context of the storm’s impact. Capture all sides of your house, showing the overall condition.
- Get Up Close: Go to each point of damage on your siding. Take multiple close-up shots of every crack, dent, hole, and loose or missing panel. Place a common object like a ruler or a coin next to the damage in some photos to provide a sense of scale. This is especially important for hail damage, which can consist of many small impact marks.
- Capture the Cause (If Possible): If a fallen tree branch or other piece of debris caused the damage, take pictures of it as it lies. Photograph the object itself and where it impacted the house.
- Don’t Forget Collateral Damage: Document damage to other parts of your property as well, such as windows, roofing, gutters, and landscaping. This helps create a comprehensive picture of the storm’s severity for your insurance adjuster.
- Video Walk-Around: In addition to photos, a slow video walk-around of your property can be very effective. Narrate what you are seeing, pointing out specific areas of damage as you record.
Pro Tip: Organize your photos into folders by the side of the house (e.g., “North Wall,” “South Wall”) to make them easier to reference later. Back up all photos and videos to a cloud service immediately.
Create a Written Log
Supplement your visual evidence with a written log. Note the date and time of the storm and when you discovered the damage. Describe the location and type of damage in as much detail as possible. For example: “Three vinyl siding panels are missing from the upper section of the west-facing wall,” or “Numerous circular dents, approximately 1-inch in diameter, are visible on the south-facing fiber cement siding.”
This detailed record will be invaluable when you speak with your insurance company and your siding contractor.
Step 3: Mitigate Further Damage with Temporary Repairs
Your homeowner’s insurance policy requires you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage after a loss. This is known as the “duty to mitigate damages.” Failing to do so could result in the denial of coverage for any secondary damage that occurs after the storm.
What Are “Reasonable Steps”?
This does not mean you are expected to perform complex, permanent repairs yourself. The goal is to temporarily cover exposed areas to keep water out until a professional can assess the situation.
- Covering Holes and Gaps: For small holes or missing panels that expose the underlying sheathing, you can use a heavy-duty plastic tarp. Secure the tarp firmly with staples or wood battens. Ensure the tarp is installed so that it sheds water downwards, like a shingle, with the upper edge tucked under an intact siding panel if possible.
- Securing Loose Panels: If a panel is hanging loosely, you may be able to temporarily re-secure it to prevent it from being completely torn off by the wind. However, be extremely careful not to cause more damage. If you are unsure, it’s often better to cover it with a tarp.
- Removing Debris: Carefully remove any branches or debris that are resting against your house to prevent them from causing further scratches or gouges.
IMPORTANT: Only perform temporary repairs that you can do safely from the ground. Do not get on a ladder, especially in wet or windy conditions, to reach higher areas. Your personal safety is far more important than a piece of siding. If the damage is extensive or high up on the wall, it is best to leave mitigation to a professional contractor. Keep receipts for any materials you purchase for temporary repairs (like tarps), as these are often reimbursable under your insurance claim.
Step 4: Contact Your Insurance Company
With your initial documentation complete and temporary measures in place, it’s time to initiate your insurance claim.
Initiating the Claim
- Find Your Policy Number: Have your homeowner’s insurance policy number ready.
- Call the Claims Hotline: Contact your insurance company’s dedicated claims department. Be prepared to provide your policy number, the date of the storm, and a general description of the damage.
- Be Clear and Factual: Stick to the facts you have documented. Avoid speculating on the extent of the damage or the cost of repairs. Simply state what you have observed.
- Ask About Next Steps: The claims representative will explain the process. They will assign an adjuster to your case and inform you of the timeline for their inspection. Ask if they have any preferred or pre-approved contractors (though you are typically not required to use them) and what your deductible is.
- Take Notes: Keep a detailed record of every conversation with the insurance company, including the date, time, the name of the person you spoke with, and what was discussed.
Step 5: Find a Reputable Local Siding Contractor
While your insurance company will send its own adjuster, it is highly advisable to get an independent assessment from a trusted, local siding professional. A qualified contractor works for you, not the insurance company. Their role is to provide a thorough, expert evaluation of the damage and a detailed estimate for a proper and complete repair.
Why You Need Your Own Contractor
- Expert Diagnosis: A siding specialist can identify damage that an insurance adjuster might miss, such as hairline cracks in fiber cement, damage to the underlying weather-resistant barrier, or compromised flashing around windows.
- Accurate Scope of Work: The contractor will create a comprehensive scope of work that details everything needed to return your home to its pre-storm condition, using the correct materials and installation techniques. This is often more detailed than an adjuster’s initial estimate.
- Advocacy: Your contractor can meet with the insurance adjuster on-site. They can point out all the damage they’ve identified and use their professional expertise to explain why certain repairs or full replacements are necessary, ensuring that the insurance company’s estimate is fair and complete.
How to Choose a Contractor After a Storm
After a major storm, the area is often flooded with “storm chasers”—out-of-state contractors who travel to disaster areas looking for quick work. These companies often perform subpar repairs, use low-quality materials, and disappear as soon as they are paid, leaving you with no recourse if problems arise later.
To find a trustworthy local contractor, look for:
- A Permanent Local Presence: Choose a company with a physical office and a long-standing reputation in your community, like Hexteriors serving the Sacramento and Northern California region. Check their address and how long they’ve been in business.
- Proper Licensing and Insurance: Verify that they are licensed to work in your state and carry both general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. Ask to see their certificates of insurance.
- Positive Reviews and References: Look for a strong track record of positive reviews on platforms like Google and Yelp. Ask for references from recent residential projects and actually call them.
- Expertise in Siding: Choose a company that specializes in exterior remodeling and siding, not a general handyman. They should have experience working with the specific type of siding on your home.
- Experience with Insurance Claims: A reputable contractor will have experience navigating the insurance claims process and will be willing to work with your adjuster.
Be wary of any contractor who pressures you to sign a contract on the spot, offers to waive your deductible (which is illegal in many places), or asks for a large upfront payment before any materials are delivered. When you’re ready to start the conversation, you can contact us for a no-obligation inspection.
Step 6: The Inspection and Estimation Process
Once you’ve chosen a contractor, they will perform their own detailed inspection.
What a Professional Inspection Involves
A professional inspection for a siding repair in Sacramento goes beyond what is visible from the ground. The contractor will:
- Get on a ladder to examine all parts of your siding up close.
- Check for subtle damage like warping, lifting, and cracking around fasteners.
- Inspect the integrity of caulk seals, J-channels, corner posts, and flashing.
- If necessary and with your permission, they may remove a section of damaged siding to inspect the condition of the sheathing and weather-resistant barrier underneath.
Based on this comprehensive assessment, they will provide you with a detailed, itemized estimate that outlines the cost of both labor and materials needed for the repair.
Step 7: Comparing Estimates and Authorizing Work
You will now have two key documents: the estimate from your insurance adjuster (often called a “loss statement”) and the estimate from your chosen contractor. It is very common for these two estimates to differ. The adjuster’s estimate may be lower because it missed certain items, used generic pricing, or specified a lower-quality repair method.
Handling Discrepancies
If your contractor’s estimate is higher, they will submit it to your insurance company along with a detailed explanation and supporting documentation (including photos) justifying the difference. This is called a “supplement.” A good contractor will manage this negotiation process on your behalf. The goal is to get the insurance company to agree to the full scope and cost of a proper repair.
Once the insurance company approves the final amount, you can authorize your contractor to begin the work. You will typically be responsible for paying your deductible directly to the contractor, and the insurance company will pay the remainder.
Step 8: The Repair and Restoration
With the paperwork settled, the professionals can get to work restoring your home. A quality repair job will follow a meticulous process, including:
- Careful removal of all damaged materials.
- Repairing any damage to the underlying sheathing and weather-resistant barrier.
- Properly installing and flashing the new siding according to manufacturer specifications.
- Expertly matching the new siding and paint color to your existing exterior for a seamless look.
- A thorough cleanup of the work site.
Dealing with storm damage is a stressful process, but by taking a methodical approach, you can navigate it successfully. By prioritizing safety, documenting everything, and partnering with a trusted local contractor, you can ensure that your home is not just patched up, but fully restored to its original beauty and strength, ready to protect you and your family from the next storm.
